Improved excavating-maohine



JAMES ROBERTSON, O F GLASGOW, SCOTLAND;

Letters Patent No. 89,225, dated July. 21, i868.

IMPROVBD B XCAVATIN dit: .Stimuli rrfrmh it is this: ttrx atent aus mating nari si the sans.

VT0 ALL WHOM IT MAIY CONCERN:

Be it known that 'I, .Lunas ROBERTSON, of Glasgow, in that part of her Britannie Majesty's.'dominions called Scotland, engineer, have invented certain new'and useful Improvements in Escavating,Dredging, Raising, and Transmitting EartlLy and other Loose Matter;' 4and. I do herebydeclare that the following is a full 4description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying six sheets of drawings, forming a' part of this specification, and to theV numerals and letters thereon; that is.tovsa v My invention relates te new and improved combinations and arrangements of apparatus or mechanism to be employed in excavating, dredging, raising, and `transmitting earthy and other loose matter, that is to say, for

moving it from one position to another, when currents of water, currents of steam, or currents of steam and air combined, are forced or. caused to pass through the said apparatus, preferably at high speeds, and are the agents in, through, or by which the lifting-or moving of the said matter is eected, and consists essentially of combi nations of conduits and mouth-pieces, a'nd arrangements or combinations of these with other mechanism and structures .forrarious useful purposes, as hereinafter is mentioned. These conduits and mouth-pieces serve, the former'te conduct and direct the How of the iluidcurrents, and ,the latter to'enter amongst or against and receive the matter tov be lifted or moved, and allow it to be carried away, held in mechanicalsusponsion or otherwise, in the fluid-currents in large quantities. i

Y' Where water is used as the lifting or moving medium or agent, forced cu-rents are employed, or currents i immotion by force transmitted to them-before they reach' the mouth-piece or opening where the matter to be lifted or moved enters, or both forcing and exhausting action a're employedto give speed to the current. When steam or steam and air combined are employed as the lifting or moving medium or agent, forced currents are used as well ns simple exhausting. action only, or these are employed in combination. `I'aleo employ, insome eases, endless or returning currents, and use the water 'or steam, or steam and air combined, or a portion of it or them," over again, after having removedl therefrom the-.matter lifted or moved, for 'the' purpose ofV eeonomiz'in'g ythese duide.

The matter tn be lifted or moved through the mouth-pieces hereinbefore mentioned is acted upon by n forced descending and ascending'current of water or steam, or steam and nir combined, on each side of such mouth-pieces, or by a forced descending current on one side, and by a drawn or exhaust current on the other side thereof; but it is not proposed or intended to use or Aemploy mouth-'pieces with drawn or exhaust currents,

except, as hereinafter will 'appear, in'a few instances; in the application of steam, or steam and air combined,

and then 'I use exhaust currents induced by steam onlyi.,

I may here premise that the currents of water to-be usedfor acting upon and lifting or moving the earthy or other materials 'or particles of matter may be produced or obtained-by: using almost any of the forcing undlifting-pumps and machines or'apparltns at presentin use for the raising of waterLor for the producing of currents ofjuids generally". I, however, preferthose mechanical arrangements which give constant currents ,on tlie injection -or edncti'on principle(as hereinafter-will hesetforth in describing the, several modifications l shown on the drawings,) such as centrifugal pumps, the gravitation of collected'vrater at a higher` level than that towhieh the currents -haveto lift'or'movo the matter, or by small jets or streams of high-pressure steam,

giving motion to water on the principle of the 'instrument known as Gi'ards injector. The steam to `be .used is raised in boilers to a high pressure, and is emitted through jets at a high velocity. It is generally prei'ernblc'tol use steam'and air combined, and to give motionto the nir by a jet or jets of highpressure steam,

4so, as tlierebytogform the combined uiiLAwhich, I may here state, does not condense so readily as steam by itself.

And in order that my said invention, and the best manner of performing the. same-with which I am acquainted, may be properly understood by others, .I will now proceed to describe the several illustrative figures' on the sixsheets of` drawings appended hereto, premising ,that like letters and numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts on all'lthe figures, 'wherever such parts are shown. x

Figures 1. to 29 inclusive, on sheet l, are drawings or views shown detached to large 'scales or sizes of y this part o f my said invention.

' various forms of mouth-pieces, and parts of conduits constructed for acting upon and raising orcon'veying various matters and substances by currents of water, i

Figure 1 is :r sectional elevation, a'nd Figure 2 is a sectional plan of one form of mouth-piece, aclaptedfor excavating and raising materials, such as sand and shingle, from a sloping embankment, auch as is usually presented 'at the part being ent in forming or excavating a wide channel or canal. v

In this arrangement, it is preferred to conduct the current of water downthe induction-pipe A to the mouth-piece B, and up from it through the eduction o rdischarge-pipe C,at a very considerable. elevational angle, as seen in g. 1. The conduit of the mouth-piece B is made. of a semieircular or segmental form, in plan,

v(5g. 2,) the two endslof the segmeutheing holted by ilanges to the induction and eduction-pipes A and C respectively, `and for aconsiderable portion, near the centre of the'segment, the conduit ismade in the form of a semicircular or U-shapedfohauncl, in cross or elevational section, (lig. 1,) opening on the inner side of the arc, at b, into a concentric, large crescent-formd mouth .or opening, D, on the upper side, (iig. 2,) formed or furn accordance with and for the purposes included under nished with a grating, d, to prevent an objectV entering the open mouth D or channel -b which would not pals out with the current of water up the discharge-pipe G.

-A broad wedge-shaped projection, E, which cast upon the lowest part of the mouth-piece B, is forced forward, in the direction of the red arrows, into'- the sand or other material, F,'off the excavation or cutting to be raised, so as to -looseu it'and cause it to fall through the grating d into the segment Lil-shaped-epen channel b, wherethe strong current of injected water issuing from the slightly-contracted nozzle a of the continuation of -the induction-pipe A, iii-sweeping round thecha'n'nel b, acts upon and carries .the materials F round-with the .current which enters the wide bellmouth c ofy the Aend of the edueton`or discharge-pipe C, up .and through which both thecurrent and suspended mattersare forced and discharged, as will be hereinafter more fully described in showing particular adaptations of :the several mouth-pieces, as applied tothe complete machines or apparatus for'carrying out thispart of .my said invention in practice.

A The forward motion of the mouth-piece B is regulated so as to delivera. proper quantity of the material F into the channel 6,. proportionally tothe strength and velocity of the current of water passing around it, twelve feet per second being-usually suicient to carry oif sand, mud, or gravel with this apparatus.

The nozzle at ais contracted somewhat smaller-'..than the size of the forcing-pipe A, so as toV give greater impact to the material to be raised, made to intervene between it and the exhaust or reduction-opening o', and

. the segmental ,ferm ofthe channel b causes the current ofweter to keep or pass round the channel with considerable. t`orcs, due somewhat proportionally tp the velocity of the current and the curve of the segmental channel, through which it is made to descend or pass.

` The tendency .to induct the materials F into the opening D of the mouth-piece B, herein described, though more 4or less eicien't with many descriptions of materials required to be raised. will, nevertheless, be only of small advantage, unless with close-groundor plastic substances, such as mud orne sand; '.lfii acting o'n' a" sloping embankment, as herein shown at F, figs. 1 and 2, the operational' entering the materials F into the mouth D may, with' advantage, be assisted by hand-labor, with a spade, this form of mouth-piece A being4 adapted to work in the open-air or under water, as may be' required.

. I Figure 3 is a sectional elevation.

I Figure 4 isia sectional plan ot a somewhat similar mouthpiece to that shown and described in connection with figs.,1'a`nd 2, the water-channel b being also -semiciroular, both in vertical section and plan, figs, 3 and 4, and the inle't and outlet-orifices a and c are also similarly formed and disposed in the mouth-piece A.

The current of the water entering, by theV pipo A passes through the jet-orifice a, round the open channel o, and oil' through the exhaust-pipe C. The wedge-shaped grabber is, however; in this modification, (tinged-l, 4, and 5,) turned inwxird's, or formed on the concave side of the mouth-piece B,-which is moved forward and made to act on the materials to be raised somewhat similarly to the vmotion of a rake, in the direction of the red arrows, and., as the mouth-piece is so drawn or pushed, the materials pass over the wedge-shaped rubbing# piece E, and fall through the grating d into the channel b, and are carried round and oil` through the dischargep .7 .lhe rake-shaped form of this mouthlpiece B makes'it particularly suitable fordrcdging and cutting purposes in a variety of waysl The semicircular form of the channelL b causes lthe water, when be-ing forced through or round it at a high speed, to keep within the channel, 'and pass out at theoriiice e of the pipo C without escaping at the grating D.

Figure 6 is a' sectional sido elevation, and Fiafure 7 is a plan of a mouth-piece, B, adapted to bc usedl in confined positions, and for raising lighter materials than either-of the mouth-,pieces hereiubefore described,

v T he vi'aterchannelb in this mdiiication is ciic'ular in plan, iig. 7, at thel ends, where the mouth-pioes is coupled to the inlet and outlet-pipes A and respectively, but` contracted 'gradually in afsegmental direction (iig. 6) to abroad-tapered or shallow orifice or jee-opening, at a, and continues this shape round past the lowest point, when'it gradually contracts into circular form` whcreitjoins the outlet-pipe C.

'lhe lowest part of this mouth-piece B is formed with a flat-solcd scoop or spade-shaped pr'ojectiom'li,l for entering and receivingl the mud or othe'r substance, F,.to beraised, which substance, as it comes forward, enters 'the broad shallow tangential orifice b, below the induction-jetopening a the stream ot'- waterfront which,

its force, causes n partialvacuum at the orice', and draws .in thc substance F, which is then acted upon and carried up 'the'channelb along with 'the'vcurrent of water, and discharged through the outlst-pips C.-

i The direction of; the forward motion ,of the mouth-piece B is indicated by the red arrows. ,This .motion il ell'ectcd bythe two side'draw-bars or rods B', secured and 'made to osclllate on 'the studs B, which are keyed in bosses cast en the sides of 4the mouth-piece. The pipes A and C are made of flexible hosefand secured by screw-couplings'and flange-joints to the mouth-piece, and they nro made flexible, to enable this arrangement of mouth-piece to be used in more confined and inaccessible places than veither of the former modifications described,

and though it may be u sed in dry places in the open pir, Ait is more particularly adapted' for being worked in water and watery places.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal vVertical section,

Figure 9 a transverse vertical section, andV i Figure 10 a plan of a mouth-pieco, which can with advantage be used where the materials to'be raised or conveyed can be filled into it by hand-labor,` with a spade or otherwise, at the top of. the 'mouth-piece B. The

channel b, through which the current of water'is made to ilow, is'straight in lthis modica'tion, but is contracted slightly at the jet-opening a, (iig. 8,) and flanged at, the .ends to which the forcing or-'inlet-pipe, A', and exhaust or outlet-pipe, C, is attachedt- The direction of the current of water through the pipes A and C and channel bis indicated by the black arrows in the` several figures, as well as that of the entrance of the materials F to he raised or conveyed, which in this mouth-piece are fed in at the tcp of the hopper-shaped' orifice lor receiver D, cast ou the top of the ul-shaped straight water-channel b, opening into it (g. 9).immediately before thejetopening a, s'o that the materials F fall or enter the current of water, and are conveyedV forward along with it through the discharge-pipe C.

Figure 11 is a sectional side elevation,

,Figure 12 an end elevation, and

Figure a plan of another modification of hopper mouth-piece, also adapted to have the materials F to he lifted or transmitted to be iilled in at theopen top, which may be done by handflabor, and tho spade or otherwise, at the conically-shaped hopper D, which has formed on it, at the top, a curved jet-pipe, a, projecting downwards in the direction and'con'centric over the exhanstor outlet-oricecoi the outlet bent pipe C. The current of water,y forced through the inlet-pipe A passes through the injecticnspipe or orice a, and down through the conical hopper D, and acts on the materials F which had been previously filled in, and which, by their gravitation and the suction of the jet of water, so as to carry them along with it out at the eduction-orice e of the discharge-pipe C, all in thedirection of the black-lined arrows in the figures. A

Figure 14 is a sectional side elevation,

Figure 15 a sectional end elevation, andl i Figure 16 a plan of another hopper-shaped mouth-piece, well adapted for .discharging ballastifrom Ships, and' for similar purposes. V l i i The water-channel b in this modification is of a segmental form in side elevation, (g. 14,) and also of the U-shape in transverse section, (lig. 15,) and having a flat sole or box-plate, suitable for fastening it down to the -door. A wide hopper-shaped opening, D, is formed over the channel b, -into which the n'iaterial to he raised is thrown, as indicated at F, and which, as it descends into the current of water issuing from the segmental and contracted ihjection-orice a, is carried round the segmental U-shaped channel b, out at the wide open exit-orifice c along with the current, up through the 'discharge-pipe C, the direction of the current ot' water andthe insertion of the material F to be raised being indicated by arrows in the figures; and to prevent too large an object passing into the oriiice c of the exhaust-pipe, it is'iitted with a central grate-bar, d, by preference of a wedgeshape,which would tend to divide soft .subjects passing in by the force ot' tho current.

Figure 17 is a side elevation, and'. i

Figure 18 isa sectional plan of a mouth-piece, Kfm-med to give an eddying motion to the current of water, so as to have a disintegrating. eect upon the materials while acting on them in the mouth-piece, so as to raise or convey them tc rt distance, as required. I

'The channels bin this modification are semicirc-ular or of a tJ-shape invertical cross-section, and of a descending, spiral, or helical form from the top inlet-pipe A to the bottom outlet-pipo C, and twisting all round the outer `circumference of the open receptacle D, sui-mounted by aconical hopper, D, for the reception of the materials, the whole by preference being cast in oneY piece, with a solo or base-plate closing in the lower end of the chamber D. The forced currcntof .water entering from the inlet-pipe A passes in at the orifice a, and spirally down, through, or round the open channel b', and out at the exhaust-orifice c, off through the cutlet-pipe C, and, Y as the materials, indicated at F, are thrown or fed in at the top 'of the chamber D, they are carried round and down i the vessel D with considerable centrifugal force, whichincreased motion of the particles disintegrates them and allows them to pass olf freely, along with the current of water, by the orilc'ec and pipe C, and this mouth-piece is more particularly adapted for working in the openair.

Figure 19 is asideVV elevation of another moditicationpf spiral mouth-pieceB, constructed much in the same manner as that described in reference to figs. 17 and 18, and is more 'particularly adapted for working in watery places, an-dfor the raising and transmitting of such matter us sand and mud. i

Tho receptacle D, for receiving the material indicated at F to be raised, isin this'case closed in by a cover on the top side, and is formed with an open mouth at the under side, which is drawn, with this mouth-piece B, over the substancertd he carried off by the exhaust-pipe C, by preference, lying in `an angular direction, as yshown in the drawing. The current ot' water enters at the top pipe A^ ,which,'by its centrifugal'or eddying action, caused by descending the open U-shaped spiral channel b, and by the motionufdrawing the lower open `mouth D close to and over the substance (as at F) to be raised, causes them-to be drawn into the chamber D, and to be forced, carried up, and discharged,'along-,with the'water, out through the orifice c and the outlet-pipe C.

Figure 20 is a side elevation.

Figure '2l i; a plan. and

Figure 22 an endA levat'ion. of a mouth-piece foraeting underjw-eter on a clay or shale bottom, rind ior matc-4 rials too 'hard or s oliditiedfor the action of the nietige-slieped grabber E., hereinhefrodescribed," or of that of the water alone to disintegrate. I l f j a l The form of the.mouth piece itself in this modification is the same as that described in reference to igs'. 3,

4, and 5, having a segmental-watenchanncl, by, andthe water entering by the pipeA and exhausting bly-'the pipe C, all in the same manner; The opening'D into'th'e mouth-piece B, for recei'vingrthe materials to he raised or transmitted, has placed in it a revolving cylinder, E, having strong pikesixed in it, as shown, which, as the cylinder revolves, act upon the materials-F required tn be raised as the mouth-piece B is traversed forward inA the direction of the red arrows, so estoV throw the'insterials Eupomthe. top'of the wedge-shaped grubber'E, through the opening D and grating d into the water-chamber b. M otion is given to the spiked4 cylinder IEl by a turbine, placcd in the box G, driven by a. stream of water conveyed to it in the small pipe G from the lower part of the injection-pipe A. of the mouth-piece B; has a grooved frictional pinion, G1, keyed on` its other free.

end,- geared into a large corresponding frictionwheel, E,.keyed on the spindle of thecylinder E,:eo as to aetuate it., "y

` Figure 23 is a'sectional side elevation, and v Figure24 is aplan o f a mouth-piece, B, adapted for acting under the water, the'fchannelb of which is-cylin-l dricaljwhereit-is jointed to the forcing-pipe A, and gradually assumes an oblong or broedilattened forint-'inl plan',

fig. 23, 'and a' narroiv scroll or curved form in lig. 24 as it approaches to the jetopening a, where it'iscontracted in or'der to give the full'force of the jot or current, and bent round, so that the jet plays across the opening or mouth D, where the' materials F required to be raised are made to enter the exhaust-opening c, while the motion of the mouth-piccoli is being traversed close to and over thematerials F to be raised, in the direction of the redarrows, so that they may get mixed and suspended in the current o'f. water,'and'are carried forward through'the cxhaustfaperture c and upthrough the discharge-pipe' C.

Two jet-pipes, d* and .d, are connected to the forcing-side mouth-piecadirecting the jetsdownnto the sand or clay, to loosen it, where it may be in a too solid state for being acted on by the 'mouth-piece alone, and which, for some descriptions of materials, 'wouldl loosen it suciently by the impact of the jets.

Figure 25 is a. side elevation, and l Figure 26 is 'a plan of a mouth-piece, B, adapted f or acting'under wete: of the 'seme form anfl'construction as that shown and described in connection with figs'. 3, 4, aud5, but in this modication the forcing-pipeA draws its supply of water from the surrounding water by gravitation, which enters in by the bell-uouthor opening AJ, and passes down and round the channel 6 of the mouth-piece, and is exhausted by the pipe -In-.this way the forcing-jet is obtained fromthe surrounding water, andLthoughless e'eetive'than where greater power can be had, will, joined with the e'ect *of the grabber E and mouth-piece B, be suiiicient to lift liglit materinls,such as mud, by or in combination with exhaust currents of water drawn up through the pipe C.

Figure 27 is n sectional elevation.' i A i Figure 28 is a. plan, und A 1 n Figure 29 is an end elevationoi' a., mouth-piece -adaptedfor lifting bodies floating in the water, ehelhtish, or other valuable materials. v l

The form and construction ofi'the mouth-piece are verymuch similar to that described in connection with figs'.

3, 4, -n'nd 5,'hutf-is provided with a netting or grating of'wire gauze, d, stretched across th'e `top of the monthl piece or casting, close tothe upper'sideo'i the channel, so as to load or guide the Heating matters very'direot into the noter-charmelI vla, and the grabber or skimmer E is made rather longer than that shown in figs. 3,. 4, and 5, so as to have a/greater guiding and retaining ,effect en the groundnnd the materials entering the 'opening D. Arranged in thismnnner the water', forced down through the pipe A, passing 'round the channel 6,;communicates to the surro'nding'water an eddyingaction. oretl'ect, which causes the heavy or suspended matters contained in-it to be thrown or drawn within the strong centrifugal action of the current within' the channel b, so as to'be i dischurged'with it through the outlet-pipejQ. l y

Figure 30, on' sheet 2 of iny drawings, is asidey elevation', and

Figure' 31, on sheet' 3, is a. plan of a 'dredgeror dredger-boat, constructed to raise sand, mud, shingle, and

etherlmatters, such as usually forms the beds cf-'riijers and docks, by a current of Water impelled at high velocii tics or speeds.' The form ofthe mouth-piece B'applell to this dredge is that described in relation to igs. 3,'4, and 5, on sheet 1 of my drawings. i I l A l The hull H is constructed to give suicient space andbuoyuncy for the machinery to be carried high, and, being light coxnpnrod with that required for an ordinary bucket-ladder dredgerhoat, requires a comparatively small hull, which is constructed of iron, much in the ordinaryway. The machinery, however, is, by preference, all W i placed on doek, and consists of'an'brdinary-verticsl steam-boiler, I, and mcun'tiugs, placed near the centre of the dredger, which supplies the engine with steam. The engine Tis also of anfordinary construction, but having its framing so constructed as to support thelwindlass-gearing or mechanism for feeding or drawing forward the drodgeil and wedged mouth-piece B against the materials, indicated at to be raised or dredged, and also for carrying the gearing for raising and lowering-the'mouth-piecc and its conducting-pipes.

'Ihc engineerank shaft Jl has keyed on it the wedge and grooved frctional pinion c," gearing into the corresponding frictiondvhcel el keyedonthespindleK of the winding-barrel A hralre-blockj', is placed opposite the wheel ci, ripon which thc wheel el is pressed while the chain-'barrel K* is in thc act o'f lowering through or by, the barrel-'spindle li, whichis carried in an eccentric-bush in one 'of the side standards, workedor turned round hy the hand-loverf, thc whole forming'what is known as one of my frictional gearing-heirate...

The lifting-chain L, applied' to the barrel K1, is passed under'k and over-thc pulleys MandM respectively, carried in the strong supportingbraeket N, and is extended downwards and posted round the pulley-O fixed to the contral'part of the mouth'picceB, and, finallycarried upwards andfixed by a shackle to the bracket N, the whole thereby forming'a convenientlii'ting and loweringgeur for thcmouth'piecc B and conducting-pipcs A C.

A belt-cone, B, keyed on the crank-sha'ttJ gives motion to a corresponding cone-pulley I", keyed-on the shaft Q by means' of a short belt, having `my eccentric means of tightening a short `belt placed in the cone Pl, and the shaft Q communicates a slow motion to the windlass-barrol R through the train of- -wheels SS, T T, and U U1.

The belt-cones P Px to 'the barrel R, unil the frctional wheels S S, and eccentric-motion hand-lover V,

furnish n` most' convenient* means of throwing the barrel and toothed wheelsout ofact-iouor gearfor lowering or slacking out the chain Rl, which is wound ,several times round the winding-barrel R, to give it a firm fric-V tional hold, and the extreme endof the chain Ris extended out and xed tocan-anchor a considerable distance infront ofthe bows of the dredgor, in the usual manner, and a well o1-receiver is formed in the hull Het,t W, below the winding-barrel R, for taking in und stowing away the surplus or ovcr-wound chain, thc whole of this windflass' arrangement forming a convenient feed-motion for drawing forwardthc dredgfer and the mouthpieceB.

' A turned y-wheel, J, is keyed on the engine-crank shaft J", over which u belt is passed, and carried forward und passed also over the pulley X keyed on the spindle Xl of the impeller of the rotary pump Althoiigh, in this way, a very compact and convenient arrangement of winding and drawing gearing is obtainodfstill it will be obvious that many other good 'driving and winding arrangements may be adopted, such afs :treV now in use for similar purposes, varied to suit circumstances, und `the essential and new features of this` first. part of ,my invention, as applied to dredging.- V

'strong cast-iron axle or crosspiece,'g, extends across the hull H of thevessel or dredger, having a ilange formed at one'end, -to which the exhaust or outlet pip'e C, leading up from the mouth-pieceB, is bolted by a corresponding bliud ange formed on the one side of the pipe C. The other end of the cross-picceg, which is forked, is bolted by a stalling-box flange formed on the inner end of the long neck h of the. rotary pump h.

This long neck, h', being turned, forms aV bearing-journal, 'which works inthe bushbearing blo'ck orbraeketj placed at one side'oi` the hull H, while a turned journal is formed at the opposite oud or neck g of the crosspiece y, which works iu a corresponding hushed bracket j placed on the other side of the deck of the hull H. The exhaustpipe C being thus tirmlysecured to the cross-piece g at one side or end, and the rotary pump I at the ether, and the pump bolted by flanges at its eduction tangential conduit to the forcing-pipe A, and the two pipes A and C being lirmly secur'edut their lower ends to the ends of the segmental mouth-piece B, and further stayed by the malleable-iron tiefrods l l, thewhole forms one strong structure, oscillating on the bearings of the standards j and y", when raised and lowered by the chain L and winding-barrel Kl, and capable of withstanding the necessary strain of the direct and traversing action of the mouth-piece B against the earth and substances to be dredged, as indicated at F.

The pump-spindle X ismounted in bearings formed in the cross-piece g, coinciding with the axial line of the journals jy", so that the raising and loweringof the conductingfpipes A.- and G and mouth-piece B d oes not alter the postionof the pulley X, so as to tighten or slacken the belt leading from the fly-wheel of -the engine J for driving the impeller of the rotary pump 11, and a clutch and clutch-handle, Y and Y, are 'itted close to the pulley X' for disengaging it, when the pump t is not required to work, or when the windlass-barrels K1 and R 'aro required to be worked without the rotary pump 7|. The rotary pump thas bolted to its` -suction-orice, leading to its eye or centre, tho suction-pipe e', being so placed-that therese z" is always immersed in the water, while the mouth-piece and conducting-pipe to which it is attached are raised or lowered to, various heights.V

A portion ofthe forced current of water from the main forcing-pipe is conductedby a small eduction bent branchpipe, k, and cross-pipe, c, to an induction curved branch-pipe, K, led tsngentially into the moin outlet-pipe C, of the mouth-piece B, s-o as by its injective force on the rising column of water and material being raised in the pipe C, induces a lifting or exhausting e'cct or action upon it, and so assists the direct force of the mainl current of water passing from the pump h rouud the open 'U-shnpedv channel of the mouth-piece B,` and the pipe [cl is furnished with a cock; yk, for regulating or putting oli' or on this injected or inducted current' into the pipe C.

Thus arranged, and the mouth-piece B lowered downto the requisite depth in .the materials or shingle F Vto beraised or dredged, and the forward feeding-motion of the dredger and mouth-pieee s et in actionby the hand-lever V of the windiosa-mechanisml and: winding-barrel R, and the pump h put in motion by the clutchlever Y, the water is drawn up through the suction or inlet-pipe z' by the pumpl which impels the water down the pipe A with great force, and round therourved open channel'b of tho mouth-piece B of 'a slightly-diferen construction to any of those shown detached on'sheet 1 of .my drawings; and which di'erence will hereinafter be described.y

i Where the mud, shingle, or other material F to be raised is pressed through the grating d into the mouth D, loading to the channelb b y the forward feed-motionoi' the mouth-piece B in the direction of `the red-lined arrows, so 'as to be caught byor drawn into and suspendedl by the strong current ot', water p 'assin'g round the -channel b, and forced into ttndvup'throughl the close 'exhaust or discharge-pipo C to the top open mouth et Cl, whereit is discharged into a punt, Z, or other vessel provided for its reception, the-course of the current of water, .and materials being dredged along with it, is indicated by the block-lined arrows. 4

The mouthpiece B of this dredgeris formed with a deep wedge-shaped grubber, E,'having its yupper sarface ascending at an angle tangcntially to the top of the channel b, formed with a grating, d, over the 'mouth D, lending to tin open part of the channel-, and into which t'he shingle or substances to'l be dredged lare pressed, and lod by the for ard motion of tho mouth-piece, which also forces all larger objects, such as stones, which cannot pass through the grating d, over the top of the channel b into the open cup-shaped or hollow fender Z,

formed or cast on the back of the mouth-picce-B, to-recewe or trap them, `and from which they are removed, when lifted above the water, along with the mouth-piece, by the chain L andV lwinding or windlass-har'rel'Kl.

Figure 32 is a side elevation, and I Figure 33 is a plan, bothon sheet 2 of'my drawings, of a portion of the cross-piece g, shown in 'Figure 3,7, nearest the exhaust or discharge-pipe C, which is shown as tted withv a suction rotary pump, m, to'r assist in exhausting o r drawing u p the current of water, and matters vbeing dredged or raised along'with it,pin the discharge-pipe Cby the' action of and in connection with -forccd currents descending the pipe A from the pump h, er it may be other forcing-mechanism, or as a substitute for the induced suction-currents caused in the pipe G by the injection of direct jets of forced water, as described, passing through the pipes k kl k, in figs: 80 and 31;' or in place o'f using'forced currents of water only, as described in relation to these figures', and which arrangement might be -judiciously applied tothedredger-iirrangernents4 therein shown, where light' material, such asV sand or mud, is to be dredged, and ,this arrangement of using both forced andA drawn currents of water. in the descending and ascending pipes for dredging and reclaiming or raising small objects from under water may he used with any of the 'mouth-pieces, and for any of the purposes described VinY reference to iigs..1 to 29 Ainclusive on sheet 1 'of my drawing, or for obvious modifications or adaptations of the same for the like purposes, hereinbefore'stated under the rst head or part of my said invention, oi' which this forcing and drawing the currents of water at the same time forms lan importent new part or feature.

When this suction rotary pump m is used in connection with the pump h, it may'be driven by the same connecting-spindle Xl, audit is .preferred to have a .elieck-valve, n, fitted to the pipe C, close to the pump m, so as to retain the water in the pump. In this arrangement, the dredged sund or mud is passed through the pump m, anddischarged throughtheopen mouth at Z2 from the discharge-pipe lending from the pumpm..

Figure 34 is a sectional side elevation, und- Figure' is a plan of a dredger-boat, also adapted to dredge by currents of water forced or propelled at high speeds.

The mouth-piece B in. this arrangement isnearly the same as that shown and described in connection with figs. 19 and 20 on sheet 1 of my drawings.

'.lhe hull H is constructed of .iron in the usual manner', but the weight. of the dredging-apparatus, and the `machinery for actuating it and the wiudlas's, being light, isnot required to he nearly so deep or to draw so mnch'water as other dredgers nw in use, cip-'evenv as the modiication shown inv figs. 30 and 31. A. long narrow well-is formed right up through the centre of the hull H, of sni'cientV width to admit ofthe mouth-piece B passing up through, out, and of 4sufficient length to allow of tberaising und lowering of'thepipe's A and C down through it, and. extending from bulk-heads." o and o at the forward or after part or ends of the hull'respectively.

The vmachinery is all xed von deck. A. vertical steam-boiler, I, is placed near the centre of. the deck, of suilicient capacity 'to supply steam-to both the engines for driving the pump and "windlasaies-4 A. small engine is used for driving-the pump by itself, as also another "for drivingthe windlasses, and as the work to be done by the windlasses is in every respect similar to that described in reference to gs. 30and 31, Ihave not shown them in'detail Ain this modication,'but only indicated their pos-ition and larrangement in relation tc new parts or features of this modification of my improvements suicent to make their action understood in relation thereto.

The pipes A C and mouth-piece B are raised and lowered hy the winding-barrel Kl and chain L, and the traversing feed-motion of the dredge? H and .mouth-piece B is obtained through from thc windlass-barr'el R and chain Rl.

A centrifugal pump, h,l`ormed with -a long hollow 'projection` s' and i", atA each side of the centre of the case, is turned vso as to work in bush-bearings formed at the top of the strong frames o r standardsjand jl secured' to und standing upfront the deck on each side of the well near the bulk-bend o.. .As the centres of the hollowljournals i alud-i ee'iiieide with the axis ei' the spindleXl of the pump-impellor, the pump and all its pipes and attachments for ecn-ducting 'the currents, can turn or oscll'ate on its journal and z" in the bushbearings of the standards J and Jl, without changing cir-affecting the position or action ofthe pump-impeller'or its spindle Xl. On the extreme end of the pump-impeller spindle Xl, a crank, Jl, 'is keyed, to which-is coupled the connecting-rod of Athe steam-engine cylinder l, which, together with the sole-plate and side-frame J, form's the engine for driving the pump. The steam is conveyed to the cylinder J from the boiler I by the steam-pipe l and a. pipe, I', conveys' steam to the engine et the windlass at P. The water is ldrawn into the pump lz. through its induction-branch through the supply-pipex furnished with a rose-end and inlot foot-valve at its lower-end fromthe well below, into which it descends', and the brauch and pipe i. are placed alittle to one side ofthe pump, so as to allow of the discharge? pe C passing infn. straight line below the centre of the pump z -The first lengthof the forcing-pipeAl, bolted to the ilange of the discharge-conduit of the. p ump h, has cast on. it a 4sla-ating `inducting-pipe, a, cast with evolve-chest, p, having e flanged joitod cover, and fitted with a hinged vulve, pl, capable o being opened and shut at pleasure by the hand-lever p", outside the pipe.

The forcing-pipe A is continued throughY the tive lengths Al AA A Al, coupled to the mouth-piece', the three lengths nearest which-are each, by preference, cast in one 'piece with the 'corresponding lengths of the exhaust or discharge-pipe C, as slso'shown in the large detached' view of the corresponding mouth-piece, iigs. 23 and 24 ,onsheet 1.

A short length ol the exhaust-pipo Cl, placed 'below the pump-h, has formed init a branchfp-ipe, al, and chest fitted with a flanged joint attached by screw-bolts. On the inside of the chest q, or cover, is cest a. series of prongs or guards, ql, projecting downwards, and forming a grating toprevent any large objects from hexng drawn into the pipe al.

The next length ci' this induced water-pipwa, iseastlin one piece with the corresponding length, Cl, of the discharge-pipe, and the bent length of the induced water-pipe, al,eonnects the latter to the branch-a el' the c llestp and forcing-pipe Atf Athe outlet-onder mouth of 4the discharge-pipe C ther'es a hinged valve, z,-\\h1ch opens outwards, according tothe quantity f'dredged material's-being delivered, and falls down close' when there is no w'arer or dredged materials pressingit open.

The pump and pipes, thus secured and bolted to'tle mouth-piece, and further secured by the cross-tie piece c, form a strong, rigid structure, are madeto oscillate on the holloivncck journals snd il, as the mouthpiece B is raisedor lowered. i 4 4 i The mouth-piece B being let down into thematorial to be dredged, by the barrel K and chain L, as shown in this position, in iigif34, and the engine J and pum'pz. started, and the feed-traverse of the wind-lass R put into operation, so as-to feed-forward the mouth-piece inthe direction' ofthe red-lined arromthe action of the dredger vould be as follows, and the course oridirection lof the currents i'n the pipe would be as indicated bykthe black-lined arrows;

The water is drawn `up by the fimpellcr into the pnmps h, through the suction or supply-pipo 4,from the weil, and forced out from'it, down through the forcing-pipe A, round and through the mouth-piece B, across the open mouth, so as to raise, suspend, and force forward a portion ef thcmmud or Vother materials F, upon which the` mouth-piece B is b eing traversed, into and up through the exhaust ordiseharge-'pipe G, the upward current in the exhaust-pipe C being assisted by the partial vacuum in it at q, by the forced stream from the pump h down the lpipe Awhich 'opens the valve p, and drasvsa portion of lthe water from the discharge or exhaust-pipe C, at the chest q, through the curved pipe al, which materially assists the rising of the water and separation of materials being dredged and forced up the discharge-pipe C, further assisted by the gravitating of the heavy matters downwards and the centrifugal action, induced at the part C, below the box q, where the pipe is curved downwards, and the partial vacuum formed, finally discharges them through4 the valve z. at

theupper end of the dschargc-pipe C, into lthe punt Z, erother vessel provided to receive them, y

In this way a portion 'of the ascending water'is diverted back to the mouth-piece'B, to lift a fresh load or portion of the materials being dredged, and merely the heavy materials discharged, and a consequent saving of power is eii'ected by this arrangement over that described in reference to figs. 30 and 31.

Figure 36 is a side elevation, Figure 37 is'a transverse section,fand

Figure 38 vis a partial plan, all on sheet 4 of pmy drawings, of another forni' 0E a dredge-boat, constructed in accordance with and embodying one modification and arrangement of my invention, as applied .to dredging, under the first head or part of my invention.

ln this construction or arrangement, the dredge-boat is designed te servo the' double purpose of raising up the materials to be dredged, and of carrying it awayan'd depositing it out in deep water, theform of `the hopper-shaped Vltould" for receiving the dredged matter proplling-maohiney, all being similar .to what is at present"irno'svn as a steam-hopper barge," a. description of vessel used' as anadjunct to ordinary dredges for carryingout and depositing, through trap-doors, the dredged matter in deep Water outot' the way.

Dredgers "have also been constructed of other forms, for the purposesboth ot' raising and transportingY .dredged matter, and therefore I only improve rrp'on'these by combining my ne'w and improved dredging-apparatus with this construction of vessel.

The dredger represented in this modification is calculated to carry about three hundred tons'of dredged tn att'cr, and this, together with the boilersand engines, of aboutV fortynominal horse-power, together with, the

screw-propeller and connections, necessitates considerable carrying-capacity.

The bull II is of the. ordinary'form, as described, and the, mouth-piece B is of the same formjas that described in connection with'iigs. 3, 4, and 5 on sheet 1 of my drawings; b ut in this case, on account of its size, it is cast in three pieces, and jointed together; otherwise, hou-ever, it is of tho same construction.

The lifting and lowering-gear for the month-piece is also similar in its action to that described in connection lwith figs. 30 and `81. The forward feed-motion mayeither be .effected by similar n'indlassgear to that i 'explained in connection with figs. 80 and 31, or cectod bythe screw-'propeller worked at n. slow motion, which in soft mud would be manageable, and save the trouble of securing the feed-chain to an anchor Fi forward of the hows" oi' the vessel. y Y l, ,t is he lmppemhaped ubouldfo'r receiving the dredged matter, having the trap-doors a's and trap-chains t, for depositing the dredged materials, all very much-of the ordinary construction.`

A strong hollow crolvpccc, g, is seen in figs. 37 and 38, having turned necks a `the buslnbrackets j j', and these secured at their' 'respectivo sides of the' vessel by bolts to'the declal Thus yplaced; the cross-piece is free to oscillato in its bearings in the same waylns that described 1n connection with The suction or cxh is bolted by side flanges to the over-hanging end of the' cross-piece st g, so that this chest-piece is open from the exhaust-pipa() into the open or hollow end g of the cross-piece g, up to the cross-onder vane ,.at which t g g, which are placed in au'stfpipe C heads into the chestfpieco 0*, formed Y'or attached on'its upper end, wnersit parl:` an open. branch, u', projecting downwards, provides an unobstructed passage for the ascending water and 'dredged matter to full or bo delivered into the hopper-shaped hould" 1:.

The outer end g of the cross-,piece g has bolted to it, by a large flange,

" ing into the centrifugal pumps 7c The central induction-eye or portof the crosspieeo that the end g,'t 'rom the cinico-valve w up to the cross-end or vano v, is cast hollow at this part, I'where the branch u 1s :pudiste i schepper-receiver r.

descend downwards, and ttnd at its lower ond with a rose or grating.

When-thc waive w is open, a free passage i's t'ormed from the exhaust or auction-passages of the pump l to A closed simight case, z, z, z', a, s, and z',A (6g. 87,) of boiler-piste, wholly covers in the month or the lshiicevalvis tu, fixed and opon-1 A soms- 8 I l `top of the hopper r, and tli'e-jiglportions' pland of'lihe cross-piece g, iind'vrhcrelthe casing comes over the cross-piece g', sth'ing-hoxesz; studers,1yz und Alz', are fitted tg orresponding ports, gf and g2, of thev crosspece g,^which, b eing'urned, Atheesseis Ithereby'msde sir-tigh't. f7 I7 v B., This errnn'gement, usyslso theto'tlie:.'suctionlpipe' i,'connected ,to4 Athe induction-portv of the pump lz,

- being all the seine as'thut described iu reference to liigs. 30 end-31 onsheets 2 cnd- 3, need not be here further -descrihed. f l i A l l i' A thrttlqy'cilvlg, is {itt-ed in the supply suction-pipe t', for closing .or partially-closing the supply 4of noter to the purnp through this pipe,.',as, ihen the dredger. is in action, a. very limited qudnt'ityof water only through.y

Two escspe-vslves' ,1 1, areA -ftted itA he top of the casing, opcningcutvnrds, 'for taking oft thesr from own `snel -connected tothe mouthpiecev the hopper rund its cssings x,"snd t'wonisn-hole doors,'t', c re formed Ein the cssingx, above the hopper-trap 4 a e', for sceess tothe trcp-chsin's tthe eyes of" the trap-chains tbeing held up 'hy hows stretched across the men-hole doors it', for essyeccess cn'd convenience in liftingthe-Htrcp-doorss al, f i.

Thef'pump-spindle z is set in bein-ings on the `e'x'osspiece g, having s stuing-b'ox ctw. Its centr coinc'des with the is'of the journ-sls gA nd g fthe cross-piecefg, retains the same position in whstever p'bsture the mouth-pieoeB is held, as expls-ined'iu connection with the corresponding parts inl figs, 30 and 31.

belt-pulley, x, i s kcyed on the pump-spindle :chend n belt is passed over it und the ily-wheelg" of its Separate drivingstea'm-cngine, thecrunk-shuft'of 'which is only shovvnin figs. 86 and 38, to shoir its position,

O n setting thi's iormoi` my"dredging-apparatus in-sction,l the mouth-piccoli being plecedthe requisite I depth` in the -materls, F, to .be lifted, und the forward feedfmtionpheing given'to the dredger, and circulo;` motion givento the centrifugal pump h, the throttle-vulve'vif is kept full open, und th'e sluice-vulvo w closed, so t0 .fO'lCe thi Wteif -dorm the pipeA und up the suction-pipe C, until the hopper' r isilled up to the top' of the casing, wher'e'th'e nir Aescapes' from-the hopper by vnlvesl 1, until the' hopper is entirely iilled with unter, iig. 37. (igt tney nlso,` in part, he filled by e. seperate pipepsssed through the skin of the vessel.)

The valvew is then opened, und the throttle-vulve l" 1n thevpipe i purtinlly ory wholly clos'cd. A The water is then' drawn from the hopper 1',- up through the brunchpipe v' and opening g3 of the hollow cIjoss-piece'g,,snd'throughthe valvechest w, into the' pump h,`n'hicl1 also forces it down 4through the' forcing, pipeA, und down through the'moutbpiece, thus forcingand lifting the .samo water, with n constant supply heavy mutter inlthfe'ho'pper r.

y As the Vhopper r is nir-tight, m eil'ective vacu'umj'sfornsed in it as the vater-is'drcwn-oi by thc'ccntrii'uof fresh materiels, F,'pressed into and suspended in i-t ut the mouth-piece, up the pipe C, and Vdepositing the gnipuinplt, and ns the motion of the'ivster-'betweenthe openings u and v of the cross-piece inside thenhopper is slow, thehesvy'mstt'er brought the nseoudingcurent readily settles down or subsides until the hopper is llcd, lend little ofthe' mutter is taken backwh the descending unter drawn through the rose or4 grating of the brunch-pipe o.

vBy this nodiicction of `my1dredging-appsrstus .the 'loss ofpow'ely'by the escupe of w'ster u'long with the dredged matter. at' the top of the discharge-pipe C of the former modifications shown on sheets 2 and 3 of my drawings, is ssvcd, und very little loss'of poser' is sustiiined beyond the friction of lthe inter in the pipes.

Figure 39 is aside 'elovutionfpsrtinlly'in section, und Figure isn plcn, on sheet. 5:0? my' drssings, of-"e centrifugsl pump, lla, und s niouth-piecc', B, the month# piece being similarto that described in connection, sndfigs. 11, 12, cm1-13, onshcet `1 of inydruwing, this arrangement und its connections Being oheiiy designed to {ox-ln c conipsct'cppcrntus for the discharge of ashes,

grit', or ballast-materiels from ships. "Theoutletlfpipe 0,' nud supply or-inlet-pipe'i'ure here shown ns fixed to spinte', II, representing th'e h ottonil ik'irplnte' of n,ship, end-hn 'ving the .cocli'f 'placed betivecn the 'piirnp and the water on 4theinlet side, and the cocks on'the outlet side," en 'd 'further'securcdffrom'inwcrd'leakagc on the exhaust side, when the sppnrut'us, is .not being used, by thelndiu-rubh'e'r vulve "0n motion being given to the ixupeller of tho rotary pump 1, andthe cocks e" und c opened, n stream of water will besent'downfthrough thc-rnouthpiece B 'und vslvo c'into the '\vster underneath the vessel, und* on any material suiciently smnll to pass down through :h e'pipe Cybeingth'ro'wn in at the mouth D, it'n'ill be csrried down 'and discharged 'along with the current into the open jw'ctfer, benes'th, the course. ot" theste'cin'heing ns indiectdby the arrows.

F i'gure.41 is c sectional.s ide'eleystion,und -l v y Figure 42 is s; plan-.of s mouthpiece, B,'cndthsstesin-forcing und 'exhsusting'ppnrntus connected .to its I forcing cnd'exlicusting-pip'es und C, thengoutlx-p'icog D itsel'rfheingventirely",siiniln Yto thct described-in connection .with figs. 14,16, slid 16, ou sheet I of my drawings. At A', ]?pls' `:ii,.fiw hollow spherical vessel, 1, hsv- "ing u brsnehlpipm',connected to'jet-pipe a of the' mouth-piece B, e nd snother b rsnehfpipe, 3, 'connected to i k the sister-suction' p 'ipe j "On` the top or gppesite 'side'o the vessel 1to1- thst of. theV brunch-'pipe 2, is ttedthe .i nhd henri-wheel, the stufe! of ythe,s{aiming-hexzl acting es bothnut for'the-sorevr-spindle, and stuer for keep- ",ingvit'stcnm-'tighh The s'ost'of 'thevclvg or conical stopper, is 'bored-out correspondingly to the 'stopper or rcguletor-5, und .thevduged brn'neh"8, formed for lesdin'g in stecm into the-chest 4-surrgmnding the vslvo or reguintorf. "lllidspfoxnxd, it is'eeoured e'nd jointed -to the' spherical vessel 1, und a -stenm-pip'e, 9,' coupled to the branch-pipe 8..' A smilcrLeeusttueted vc'sis'elis slsolcenn'ectcd at C? to the exhsuetepsslege e, but having the "bxoss valve-chend, vslve-spindle und outlet-brunch 2, disposed' horispntslly in place of verticsllyns over'the inlet-passage va ct A', just described, und lhauling also c 'steam-pipe, g, coupled to its valve-inlet, the suine as on the vulve-chest. On the conical stopper-s ofthe vslve`st A 'sud C', being opened, the s'tccm rushes through :and forms c"pnrtih1,j,'scuum in the vessel 1, causing the wstsrto dow in through tho hrsneh 3 9 `sorse `coupled to the water-supply or exhaust-pipe t', and'forces it out et the branch' 2, opposite the 'steam-jet, in. a continuousstream, through the spherical chest 1,and its cjecting-apparatus at A throwing or forcngthe water into the mouth-piece B, andthe vessel at C and its ejeetingspparstus exhausting outthe water (and ashes or other material thrown by hand into -the open month D) from the mouth-piece B, and discharging or forcing it' or them out nt the branch-pipe 2 at C. .In this way the water is inade to enter in at the pipe 15,-dow through the mouth-pieces B, and be discharged bythe branch-pipe C', which branch-pipe may be connected by any eeuvenient length ot'4 pipes, eo as to convey the water and materialsv to where it isdesired.. Thismouthpiece-may also be used with only one set et' ejecting or forcing-apparatus 'placed in the forcingside Af, as also with one sot only on the exhausting side C', if provision is made -tor the water to ilowinto the mouth-piece IB.

Figure 43 is a side elevation, and

Figure 4d is an end elevation, partially in section, of a modification of the apparatus just'` described in reference to gs. 41 and 42, for throwing ballast, ashes, or grit out of" ships, andthe inlet branch-pipres', and the outlet-pipe C being shownjointed to the akinplate H of the vessel, the -meuth-piece B'being' also the same as that described in connection with gs. 14, 15, and 16; In this example, a forcing spherical chamber, A', only is shown applied, and a steam-jet pipe, 5, the steamregulator described in `connection with figsrdl and 42 not necessarily requiring to be of the same construction, or fixed to the forcing-chamber A', are nctshown in this case. The forcing-pipe A has xed in .it a stop-cock, i', and on. its being opened andl steam admitted through the jet-pipe 5, the water is` drawn into the spherical vessel A' through the skin-plate H, and forced down through the pipeA and mouth-piece B, and up through the exhaust-pipe '0, and on any material andi ciently small being put in at the opening D of the mouth-piece B, it will be discharged from the exhaustpipe C, the' course of the current being as indicated by the arrows shown on the pipes. It is also intended to u-se this apparatus for the same purposes with a forcing spherical channel or other ferm of steam-ejocting or forcing apparatus connected to the exhaust-pipo C only, and allow the water to 'ilowinto the'moutlx-pieoe B through the pipe A, by the overhead pressure oi the water. from the outside ofthe-vessel.

Figure 45 is a vertical section.

Figure 46 is a transverse vertical section, at right angles to g. 145, and

A Figure 4'( is a plan of a diving-bell .for raising materials freni under water, having the forcing-channel A,

the mouth-piece B, and the enhausti'ng-channel C,V cast'in one piece with`the bell, the form of the mouth-piece B being similar te that described in connection with figs.' 14, 15, and 16, on sheet 1 of 'my drwiugs, The

diving-bell itself is otherwise of the ordinary construction, hsvinga lifting-,shackle and chain, E, as attached,

and the pipe-socket F for coupling on the hosepipe,'for the air boing forced in for the respiration of the workman, and also the two panes et' glass, G, for admitting-light i'nto the be1l,'as indicatedg'in iig. 47. `flhc forcing `l xlmcl1-pipe A', and the exhausting branch-pipo C', 'are adapted for dxing the hose-pipe to, thus arranged, and the' water being made to ilow through the fercingpipe A vA,nnd mouth-piece B, and up through the exhausting' pipe C, a'ccutinuous stream is thereby madaV to'puss through thebell, and form a'convenient conveyance lf'or any material small enough in size to pass upthrough th'epipe C to `the .divng-'fboll barge; fthe workman entering in the-rusterials at the opening D of the mouth-piece B, the course ole'urrentbeing asindicatod by the arrows. n

Figure 48 is a sectional elevation, and i Y Figure 49 is a plan of a trap-box for trnppiu'gsthc materials exhausted from any of thc forms of mouthpieces, is a modification shown en sheet 1 of my drawings, designed to retain as much of the rnaterials suspended or carried up by the water-current as possible, and for diverting the water thus raised, back tothe mouthfpecc or its forcing-apparatus. 10 is ar'box tted with a cover, and closed inund jointed up water-tight,

5g 49 'being shown with the cover off to show the ferm ofthebottomwhichis hopper-shaped. `u is an 4 exhausting-pipe led from a mouth-piece, and e.' is a pipe leading back ,to thcforcing aide er forcing-apparatus connected with a mouth-piece. At tho side, nnd`.clese to the bottoni of the box, isa pipe, 12, which is inserted into the box, having the hinged valve 18 fitted on its inner end, und openinggoutwurds, the pipe being covered in on the top bythe slanting'pcce or side of the hopper 14. =On `-tlie opposite sido ci the be; A10 a branch-.

pipe, 15, is coupled to thejet-channel 16 cast in the bottom et' the box, and Acarried Vdownwurdsiintil its orifice, 17, is opposite to the hinged valve.13. On the hinged vulve 13 being closed, and .water and materials, such as sand and shingle, being thrown into the box 10, it's'ubsides, as indicatedfia'the drawing, the water rising up and flowing off through the outlet-pipe e', freed from mest vet 'the materials lifted orforeed from a mouth-piece, B, through the pipe u', caused 'by the reduced speed of the current in the box 10. On 'the box 10 becoming lled with thesubsided matter, the hinged valve 18 is opened, and a jet `of water or steanr` forced in through the jet 15,'pipe 16', and jet-channel 17, which, together with tho.pressure on the top of the subsided materials exerted by the water, forces out ,the contents of the box quickly through the pipe `12, andwhioh, when emptied, is again closed, and the box is' then in a stato to bc relled. Thiscontrivance saves. the drawback of having to use 'trap-doors in thetrapping-apparatns, which in many poaitioriiil inin'mvenient.A

Figaro 50 is a cross-section of the hull oi' a ship, and elevation of a mouth-piece and pipes, and portion al' a lighter or barge, showing a nethcd of using this apparatus in a portable form for the discharge of ballast from ships. A forcing-pipe, A, is led over the side of the vessel down to a-mouth-piecc, B, placed in the bottoinof the Vihouldfhavingthe exhaust er discharge-pipe C led up over the dppositeaideof `the ship so' as te dischargethe ballast thrown inte the mouth-piece B along with the streng current ef water foroedthrough lthe pipe A, box B, and diseharge-pipo O, as indicated by the arrows, into the lighter or berge. "Theferm of the mcutlbpieoo B, shown applied in this arrangement, is that described in eonneetionwith ligsr14, 15, and-16, ou

sheet 1.

Ylgurel is' apart of the cross-seetioa of aship; and elevation of s mouth-piece and pipo fordischarging ballast, ashes, or other materials through the bottom of the ship, the forcingpipe A and mouth-piece B b eing in this example fixed inl the vessel.V -Themeuth-piece B, shown applied, is somewhat similar to' that described in reference to figs. 8, 9, and 10, on sheet l-ofmy drawings, but slightly-modified, the outlet-pipe C being fitted with a valve, a', and stop-cock 'ffor securing the vessel against inward leakage when the apparatus is not being used, somewhat similar to that shown-in connection with iigs.- 39 and 40. A hose-pipe, 1'8, joined tothe pipe A by the coupling 19, conveys theforced water from any convenient forcing-apparatus on the harbor, and discharges the water and-materials raised into in bargev or a'hopperbargefor carrying the dredged matter lifted; also carry the forcing-apparatus `adapted forths purpose, and te be coupled ou in this way by'the'exible hose, would be a convenient arrangement. Mouth-pieces similarly placed to this in the bottom of vessels, and wrought by'a steam-jet inv the way described in connection with'gs. 4l and 42, would also be a convenient arrangement.

Figure 52 is a cross-section of part of the hull of a ship, with a mcuth-piece and pump for the dischargeof ballast through the bottom of thel ship, the monthpiece and pump beingv as .described in counectionw'itb. figs. ,39 aad-40.

F igure 53 is a sectional end elevation, and- Figure 54 is a plan of a mouth-piece and' pipes, shown applied for raising and'discharging excavated matter from a channel or canal being cnt, ,the material cut by hand, by the spade, or otherwise, as at 20, and thrown' into' the mouth-piecel B, to be carried away up and over the 'slopingv bank 21 by the water-current.

In starting cn operation Yot' thiskind, one; way of `doing it would be te provide a stationary steam-engins and forcing-pumps. Rotary pumps being the least expensive, and'having the advantage of giving, in a simple' way, s continuous current, are the best vknown-,to me. The forcing-pipo, A, leading forward thaw-ster te the 'mouth-pieee,gshould be made as large in diameter as to maintain lthe current atnot more than three feet per' second; in order to avoid loss from friction in the4 pipe. The discharge-pipe ought to boofa diameter to give .a speed of about twelve feet per'second, to give sucient' forcetforcsrrying up matter such as sand and shingle.

The drawings show the apparatus as nppliedto a dry channel, 20, 21, and 22. A forcing-pipe, A. A, coupled. to a forcing-apparatus, as described, is led down to the bottom of' the ebannel,'to be out and connected to a 'mouth-piece, B, th'e description of mouth-piece shown applied being' that described in connection sjiith gs. 14,

.15, and 16 of my drawings, in sheet 1, which is shown placedwith the mouth or inlet for the material onnkjilnshV with thcbed 'of the channel, so as the jet may carry o' any water that may collect in the channel or bedof the canal being out, as well as the materials thrown inte it, and force all up through the exhaust or dischargepipe C, into a trap-box, D, or'out upon the open ground, as might hefound convenient. In this way', when auch a distance forward of the channel has been cut asbeoomes inconvenient t'o convey the materials :to the mouthpiece B, it is shifted correspondingly forward, and one or more lengths of forcingpip'e, A, added, to Ikeep. the mouth-pieco'near to the part,-20,.being'cut. The trap-box. D, for the excavated materials is sbcwu open attire "tcp and bottom, und is simply designed to keep the drcdged'or excsvsxedmaticrtgetber until it subsides.y For vconserving'the water to be used over again, an arrangement' of a portable trspbox, similar' tctha de'soribc'zm connection .with iigs. 48land 49', could be used.

Another simple mode of working this excavating-apparatus for this. purpose is to haveaportabls engixie andvpump-s, and have the forcing-pipe' A led down to the mouth-piece B, and a return or exhaust-pipe, H, 'led 4back from vthe trap-box D, thus using the vrater over and over again.

Figure 61 is a side sectional elevation, and y Figure-62 is 'an end elevation of an apparatus for 'raising or conveying sand, grit, ashes, and similar light subs'ta'nces, by the combined `agency of currents of steam and air, the power and motion being transmitted to the air dirsctlyby jets f steam, and passed along the 'pipes or conduits intermiad with thsair, in this example in a returning or endless current. A trap-box, A, with a forcing-pipe, A, is connected to the spherical inducingvessel J, the mouth-piece B, the sphcricalwosscl J, and pipe G, which is also connected te the trapbox A, the

pipes boingbroken short, -as substances can be raised toa great height in this way. On steam being admitted by the jet-steam pip'es I and I','and substances entered at the mouth-piece B, they will be raised and deposited in tbc trap-box A, the course of the current being as indicated by the arrows, a trop-door, K, boing provided forA emptying th'e box Al whenit becomes full.

Figure 63 is a side-sectional elevation. v 4

Figure 64 is an end elevation of s similar apparatus to that just described, having a trap-box, A, and a mouth-piccc, B, and spherical inducing-vessel, J, cast in one piece, and connected together by the pipes Al and .'C. On steam being admitted by the jet-pipe I, the motion o'f the current induced is ss indicated bythe arrows.,

Figure 65 is la. side sectional elevation, and Figure 66 an end elevation, partly in section, of an endless or.returning-curroubelevating apparatus, haring the connecting-pipes A'aud C, joined at ibo top without a trap-box, and a mouth-piece B, with the steam-jat channel I cast into it. The cross-pipe D has 'an opening, E, formed into it, and apseries of tapering pike., F, secured in the top side of the casting 4in a elanting position, these pilxes boing placed closely together, and used in preference to a grating,'from their aording a less entangling surface for the substances coming in contact with it'.- On steam being admitted through the jet-channell and pipe, and substances being lentered at the mouthpiece B, tbe curren'tn'ill be as indicated by the arrows, tbe large particles glancing ed tb'e pikes aro diverted downthrough the opening E, and the sir and steam or portionthereof passing with considerable forca through bctwccn the pikca, passes down through the pipe A into the mouth-piece, to assist in` raising a fresh lend of the material acted upon.

Figure 6T is a side sectional elevation, and

Figure 68'is an end elevation of a. mouth-piece, B, and exhaust-pipe C, for raising materials without the` returningaction, which, on steam being introduced by the jet-pipe I, and material at the mouth-piece B, the current will be as indicated by the arrows, and tho materials forced through the pipe C.

Figure 69 is a side sectional elevation, and

Figure 70 is a plan cfa mouth-piece B, with a spherical exhausting-vessel, C, on the exhaust side pipe c,

and a similar vessel, Al, an'd st eam-jet valve 5, on the forcing side, to beused for raising materialshysteam and air. As this mouth-piece and connections are similar to that described in connection with figs. 41 and 42, to be used for lifting by water, on sheet 5 of my drawings, it will be understood by referring to it.

Figure 'il is a side-elevation, and

Figure 72 is an end elevation of an exhausting steam-jct vessel'connected to a mouth-piece, B, by the cxliaust-pipe C, steam being admitted by the jet-pipe I. The direction of the current produced is as' indicated by the arrows. The steam-jet pipe I of this inducing-vessel, J, has fitted on its mouth a thiol: ferru'le or short taper tube of India rubber, S, better seenin connection vfith5 the enlarged drawing of it, Figure 73.

A lhcjet-'pipe provided with this description ofjet-opo'ning enlarges with the increased supply of steam, and contracts correspondingly as the quantity pf pressure is diminished, untilit becomes closed or nearly so, and thereby retains the .velocity of the issuiiigjet 'at or near the velocity that is due to the pressure, whatever the quantity may he. The 'India-rubber hose-mouthpiece is'shown fixed on ivith cord, 4.-, wound over it to secure it to the pipcpicce 'This plan ot making thejet-pipes adjust themselves tothe press/ure and quantity ofthe duid forced through them is alike sorviccaiiio for water as for air am'. steam. Iz is anothersteam-jet which can be used concurrently with I, or by itself.

Figure 74 is a side elevation, partly in section, and

Figure 75 is an end elevation, partly in section, ot' a inoutli-pieoe, B, iritli asteam-jetpipe, I, inserted into it for forcing, and u. spherical inducing-vessel, J,4 having a steam-jet pipe, I, inserted into it, connected by the pipe C. The-apparatus in this form is here shown4 fixed to the skin "-plates H of a ship, and is adapted for raising ashes from Steamers. The direction of the current is as indicated by the arrows# Instead ofthe I or I, an annular jet may be seen in section at D, the steam bedig admitted into the annularspace a, through the hrenchpipe b, und issuing in`nn upward direction throughthe annular opening c; couibining with and giving motion to the air.

I am azi-nite that air alone in currents has been used as a lifting-medium i'n certain forms of grain-.cleaning machines, and for the transmission of grain from one position to'anotlier. I do not propose to use air alone in currents :is an excavating-medium. In all the Aother modifications the currents areproduced by the combined vaction of steam and air, and possess a simplicity forl producing the currents for these purposes unattainable b v 'other means. i

Having new described the nature of my said invention, and purticulai-izedtlio saine in such'manner that others will be enabledto oarrymy imprevenlents into effect, I would here -Vs'tate that I. do not eonne or restrict myself to the exact detaiis'and precisa larrangements of :ill the parts which I have considered itiadvisablo to describe and delineate, as many modifications and variations may lie made therefrom, without departing from.v

the leading and essential features of my said invention andl would also state I do not claim to have invented many of the 'working-and other parts of the machinery or apparatus by themselves.A

What I consider is novel and original, andclani as of my invention, isi l v 4 1. The niouth-piece-B, forcing-,pipe A A2, 35e., and exhausting-pipe C C2, Sie., 1n combination -with a `pump for foi-cingustrong current of Water` through the apparatus, as and for the purposes licrcin specified.

2. In combination with the above, the rotatingspke-cy'lindor El, arranged to operato therewith', as and. for

the purposes herein specified.

3. The month-piece B, witlia pump forcing-pipe and exhausting-pipe, substantially as specicLL connected te aiid arranged to operate from the floating. structure H as nnd'for libe purposes herein speeifieds In testimony whereof, I have hereunto s'etmyname vin presence of tiro subscribing witnesses.. l JAMES ROBERTSON. Witnesses:

J omi P. Knie, J. P. Suus. 

